Outcome details

This outcome was reached by SRA decision.

Reasons/basis

This notification relates to a Decision to prosecute before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. This is an independent Tribunal which will reach its own decision after considering all the evidence, including any evidence put forward by the Solicitor. The Tribunal has certified that there is a case to answer in respect of allegations which are or include that, while in practice as a Solicitor at Nalders LLP ("the Firm"):

Between 22 August 2017 and 21 May 2018, he made statements to Mortgage Lender A in respect of progress purportedly being made in respect of registering their charge over Property A, which were untrue and which he knew, or ought to have known, were untrue at the time they were made;

Between 16 and 30 May 2018 he made statements to Client B and Client B’s Agent in respect of the letting of Property B, which were untrue and which he knew, or ought to have known, were untrue at the time they were made;

In or around 30 April and 1 May 2018, he gave a date on Stamp Duty Land Tax and HM Land Registry forms which was false and which he knew, or ought to have known, were false;

Between 14 February (at the earliest) and 4 June 2018, he made statements to his employer regarding the progress of conveyancing matters, which were untrue and which he knew, or ought to have known, were untrue at the time they were made;

Between 8 August 2017 and 15 June 2018, he failed to complete post completion formalities in respect of his client files promptly or at all.

The allegations are subject to a Hearing before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and are as yet unproven.

Outcome details

Decision details

Gary Burns' practising certificate for 2019/2020 is subject to the following conditions:

Mr Burns is not a manager or owner of any authorised body.

Subject to the condition above, Mr Burns may act as a solicitor, only as an employee where the role has first been approved by us.

In these conditions the definitions are as defined in the SRA Glossary.

Reasons/basis

The above conditions are necessary in the public interest and reasonable and proportionate having regard to the purposes set out in Regulation 7 of the SRA Authorisation of Individuals Regulations and the regulatory objectives and principles governing regulatory activities as contained in section 28 of the Legal Services Act 2007.